Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-02-18
A WAR INCIDENT.
Suit Against Ben. Batter for Damages.

The suit OF John II. Lester against Ger.
b. +. Butler for false imprisonment and
damages has been brought in the United
States Circuit Court in New York The
complaint alleges that on January -, 1864,
Lester who was living in Richmond, Va,
came across the lines and took the oath of
| allegiance at Martinsburg, Va. He there
made arrangements with Gen. Butler that
his wife and child should be brought to
him on a flag OF truce boat Lester then
went to Washington aud while there, il is
claimed Gen. Butler became possessed of
the idea that he mad 81 u. 900 in his posses
| sion and that he had violated his oath and
was helping the enemy When accused OF
headquarters, denied it, but was thrown
into prison. Mrs. Lester and the child
were searched and in her possession, il is
alleged was found k!20)0 which Gen.
Butler took and gave her n receipt for
$4,000 which amount was afterward ic-
turned. Cen Butler never let Lester
know that his wife and family had arrived
At Fortress Monroe, and it was only by
chance that Mrs Lester learned that her
husband had been court martialed and
sentenced TO ten years imprisonment at
bard labor with a chain about his leg
Lester was released after he had served
one year, one month and seventeen days.
Provisions Of the Interstate Commerce Bill
The interstate commerce bill was intro
duced by Senator Shelby VI. Cullom OF H.
linois. Its provisions apply TO any COM
-.
ton OF passengers wholly by railroad, or
partly by railroad and partly by water
when both are under common control or
management through more than ono
state or territory. The provisions also
apply TO international trade with coun-
tries ad jacent. By the term railroad ~
bridges and ferries operated by any rail
road are included.
A common carrier subject TO the provis,
ions of the act cannot charge, remand
collect or receive, directly or indirectly,
from any person or persons, a greater or
less compensation for given service than
1t receives from any other person or per
sons for contemporaneous service. Such
a carrier cannot make or give any undue
or unreasonable preference or advantage
20 any particular person. company cor
poration or locality,or any particular des-
cription OF traffic Every carrier shall af-
ford all reasonable and equal facilities for
the Interchange of traffic between differ
ent lines aud systems
a provision of the bill which railroads
regard as especially severe on them re-
lates 10 long and short hauls. This makes
IL unlawful for any carrier 20 charge or
receive a greater compensation in tho
aggregate for the transportation
OF passengers or Of like kinds OF prop
L 4. 4
lance, providing the circumstances are
substantially similar ana the consignment
is over the same line and in the same di-
rection, the shorter being included within
the longer distance. In special cases,
however, after inves tigation sy the com
mission appointed under the provisions OF
this act, common carrier may charge less
for longer than shorter distance transport
alton. the commission prescribing the ex-
tent 20 which the carrier may he relieved
from the general provision.
The pooling Of two or moro carriers
whereby the net earnings are divided
among them. is prohibited. In case such
an agreement Is entered upon in violation
ton of the bill. its continuance shall be
deemed n separate otiense. Fares and
rates cannot be raised without ten days
public notice. They may he reduced at
any timo without previous public notice,
but notice shall be given simultaneous
with the reduction. The rules and regula-
charges must be posted within ninety days
In all stations of carriers subject to the
provisions OF the act for public inspection.
The bill prohibits interference OF any
carrier in the proper PRONUNCIATION OF
freight, and. in case this provision IL
violated such carrier is liable for tho
full amount TO the persons sustaining the
damages caused by such delays, together
with reasonable attorney fees TO the plain
tiff Persons damaged by the action OF
m m M nC m AaH
recovery OF their damages either in the
courts OF the United States or before the
commissioner: but not before both tribu-
mails. maximum fine Of 5000 is placed
on violation Of the pro visions of The act,
offenses.
The provisions Of the bill are regulated
by board Of commissioners. appointed
by the president by and with the consent
OF the senate. The commission consists OF
five persons whose terms Of Office shall 10
for six years, except for the first appoint
ments which are TO be for two, three four,
five and six years. The headquarters Of
the commission are located at Washing.
ton, but sessions may be held elsewhere.
The commissioners are each allowed sala-
ries OF 800 per annum, and they may APP
point &3,5OO secretary. Other employees
may be engaged at the discretion OF tho
commission. The sum Of 500, 900 is sppro-
priated for the purposes OF this act FOR the
fiscal year ending June 80, ISIS. Tie pro-
visions relating 20 the appointment OF the
commission, are, by virtue Of tho LASS
section OF the bill, given immediate eject